The Start Hospices project, aimed at young people with progressive life-limiting illnesses and their families, is intended to give participants the chance to have fun together as a family away from the demands of their daily lives and to enjoy opportunities to experience and take part in high quality arts, which they may not usually have access to.

Following a pilot day at Northern Ballet's home in Leeds, Northern Ballet and Martin House Hospice will be working in partnership to offer children who use the hospice and their families the opportunity to attend professional dance performances at the theatre and to participate in creative movement and photography workshops.

'We're delighted to once again be working with Northern Ballet. Dance and movement has a special appeal in its ability to connect with people on so many levels - encouraging creativity, expression of feelings, confidence and communication, and of course being entirely relaxing and enjoyable. Start is most definitely about having fun, but for the children, siblings and families participating it is also a rare opportunity to share new and memorable experiences.'

Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive, The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts